“Romilly’s long-term leadership of the green building movement in Australia, and her clear success with Green Star, have been instrumental in helping us advance global market transformation of the building industry,” Mr Fedrizzi says.

“Romilly has become a powerful global advocate for green building and communities, and her work in multiple capacities with the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is having measurable results – with more than 1.3 billion square metres of green building space now certified around the world.

Ms Madew, who has led the GBCA since 2006, wrote the seminal Dollars and Sense of Green Building, which established the first business case for sustainable design and construction in Australia. She was the inaugural Chair of the WorldGBC’s Council Development Committee, and today sits on its board of directors. The WorldGBC is a non-profit organisation comprising around 100 national green building councils in six continents.

The WorldGBC’s Chair, Bruce Kerswill, says: “Romilly has been one of the WorldGBC’s most enthusiastic participants for almost 10 years. She has been a passionate champion for green building at a global level and has actively supported the development of GBCs in several other countries – she well deserves this award.”

“It’s been my great privilege to be part of an industry that has seized the sustainability agenda. While other industries continue to debate the business case for sustainability, the property and construction industry in Australia has shown real leadership,” Ms Madew says.

“With a steadfast commitment to collaboration and innovation, we now have a building industry that leads the world in sustainability. This award is not just for me, but acknowledges the Australian industry’s achievements on a global stage.”

“Romilly’s bold efforts to identify and create opportunities for the advancement of green building globally, and to bring people into the fold through effective communication, are breaking down obstacles that before seemed insurmountable, and her efforts are worthy of this prestigious award,” Mr Fedrizzi concludes.